Portable chart rack



H. R. SHAMPAINE PORTABLE CHART RACK July 29, 1952 Filed Dec. 2, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR ATTORNEY y 29, 1952 H. R. SHAMPAINE 2,605,161

PORTABLE CHART RACK Filed Dc. 2, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET"2 5% 9 I 8 I I N I I I M57 L441 4 2 1 fa r I FIG. 3.

firmnlllllll r11 mm mix-wing 1a mil/4 INVENTOR HYMAN RQBERT SHAMPAINE ATTORNEY Patented July 2 9, 19 52 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f 12,605,161 1 v PORTABLE CHART RACK Hyman Robert Shampaine, Clayton, Mo. Application December 2, 1948, Serial No. 63,024

4 Claims.

This invention relates in general to chart racks,

and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in portable chart racks. v

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a chart rack for use in a hospital and the like which is mobile and can be locked when not in use to prevent'unauthorize'd removal of charts. j

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable chart rack having novel'locking means which is simple and compact in construction and will not accidentally catch the fingers or otherwise injure the operator as it is being locked and unlocked. I

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a movable chart rack which is simple and economical in construction and "durable in And with the above and other'objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form,

construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out'in the constructed in accordance withfland embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the chart rack;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmental transverse sec.- tional views taken along lines 4- -4'a nd 55, respectively, of Figure 2;

Figures 6 and 7 are fragmental transverse sectionalviews taken along'lines 6 5 and 'I'1, respectively, ofFigure 1;

Figure 8 is a fragmental transverse sectional view taken along line 88 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken-along line 9:43 of Figure 5; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cut-'awayperspec tive view illustrating the locking bar in' unlocked position.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a-"prefe'rred embodiing o of which is inclined upwardly and rear- 7 wardly from the forward wall 3 at an angle of Suitably secured to the underside of the bottom wall I adjacent the ends of the wall 2 are nonswiveling casters 8 and adjacent the ends'of the rear wall 4 are swiveling casters 9. Maintained in'outwardly spaced relation to the lower margins ofv the rack A by means of a plurality of short brackets Ill is an annular guard rail H provided on its outwardly presented surfaces with rubber cushioning strips r, as may best be seen'in Figure 3.

Secured around its margins to the inner faces of the walls 2, '2', 3, 4, and extending horizontally therebetween-in upwardly spaced relation to the bottom wall I is a false bottommember l2 in the provision of a compartment :3 into which the aperture 5 of the wall -3 opens and, similarly'secured at their end to and extending horizontally between the front and rear walls 3, '4, on opposite sides of the opening 5, are conventional drawer slides l4 having ball bearing rollers I5 for operatively supporting laterally projecting slide flanges I6 welded or otherwise suitably secured upon the side walls I! of a utility drawer I8 adapted to move in and out of the-opening 5 and being provided with a coincidental handle I 9 and lock 20.

Above the false bottom 52 and beneath the each-mounted at their emiss on and extending.

between the'rei'nforcing angles 6, 7, parallel to the plane of the opening '0. their ends on and extending between the angles 6, Ladjacentthe upper marginsof each of the Y walls 2, 2', are narrow or single-sided chart supporting bars at, 25, each parallel to the bars. 22', 23. The bars 22, 23, 24, 25, are-provided with'a plurality of'spaced sets of horizontally aligned U-shaped recesses 26 extending downwardly from their upper faces for receiving the roller-studs 21, 28, projecting axially from each end of con-- ventional hospital charts is, as best seen in Figure 1. 7

Formed integrally upon the upper faces of the bars 22, 23, 24, 25, adjacent the upper and lower Also mounted at-- 3 ends, respectively thereof, are flat faced bearing pads 30, 30', provided. with vertically extending slots 3|, 3|, opening in vertical alignment with the aperture 39 radially downwardly into horizontal bores 32, 32, extending transversely through the bars 22, 23, 24, 25.

Extending horizontally through the upper bores 32 of each of the bars 22, 23, 24, 25, is a shaft 33 having primed thereon six spool-like collars '34, 35 36, 31, 38, 39, each externally sized for snug-fitting rotation disposition within the bores 32 and being so positioned along the shaft 33 that the collars 34, 39, are located within the bore 32 of the narrow bars 24, 25, respectively,

and the collars 35, 36, and 3'1, 38, are arranged in axially spaced pairs to fit respectively within the bores 32 of the wide bars 22, 23, with their outwardly presented or exposed faces substantially flush with the outwardly presented or lateral faces of the bars 2-2, 23. The shaft 33 is held against endwise translation by set collars 44 which bear against the inwardly presented lateral face of the narrow bars 24, 25, as shown in Figure}. I q Similarly extending through the lower bores 32' is a shaft 33' having primed thereon spoollike collars 34", 3'5, 33 31', 38', 39, identical respectively to the collars 34, 35, 36, 31,38, 39, in shape size, and location to the shaft 33. The shaft 33' is likewise held against longitudinal translation by set collars 43' which bear against the lateral faces of the narrow bars 24, 25.

Each of the collars 34, 34', 36, 35', 3B, 38, are provided in their outer or peripheral faces with a so-called right handed spiral groove 9 and similarly the col-lars35, 35, 31, 37, 39, 39, are provided with identical but opposite or left handed) spiral grooves g for actuating engagement with pins 4! extending downwardly through the slots 3|, 3|, and being rigidly mounted in The doublesided or wide bar 22 is provided in its under face with a'lengthwise extending milled slot 49 for slidably receiving a transmission bar 50 supported therein by pins 5| and provided on its ends with upwardly presented toothed or rack-forming sections 52, '52, which enter into the space between the pairs of collars 35, 36, and

35', 36', respectively, for engagement with spur gears 33, 53, which are in turn respectively pinned to the shafts 33, 33. Thus, when the lock 46 is turned to engage the tongue '41 in the slot 48 operatively locking the handle 48 to the shaft 33, rotative movement of the handle 45 and shaft 33 will be simultaneously transmitted to the shaft 33-, as best seen in Figure 8. The locking bars 42 extend lengthwise across the U-shaped recesses 26 and are adapted toshift laterally responsive to rotative movement ofthe handle 45. The locking bars 42 are in effect paired for movement toward and away from'each other, that is to say, the bar 42 which is actuated by the collars 34, 34', and the bar 42 which is actuated by the collars 35, 35, will move toward each other when the shafts 33, 33, are rotated 4 in one direction, and away from each other when the shafts 33, 33', are rotated in the opposite direction. The locking bar 42 actuated by the collars 36, 33, is similarly paired with the locking bar 42 actuated by the collars 31, 31', and the locking bar 42 actuated by the collars 33, 33', is similarly paired with the locking bar 42 actuated by the collars 39, 39'.

Secured at; their upperigand iawer (ends by means of screws 54, 55,-to--the fian'ges=6', 1', respectively, of the angles 3, i, and extending in upwardly spaced longitudinal relation thereto,

are cover plates 56 which are slightly greater in width than the distance between the inner or adjacent margins of the locking bars 42 mounted thereunder when the latter are in extended or locked position (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6) so as to close and conceal the working gap between said locking bars 42 and at the same time not interfere with chart removal when the locking bars ,42 i are in retractedfposition' '(as shown in full lines in 1 Figure 6) {,Sirriilarly mounted between the side walls 2,2", and the chart holding bars 24, 25, adjacent thereto, are sheet metal anglesor side covering members 51 the top flanges 58, of which, extend inwardly in upwardly spaced relation along the bars 24, 25, for concealing the working gap behind the looking barsf42 associated therewith, .as best seen in Figure7. f f i.

Mounted on the outer face-ofthewall 2, ate. convenient height are spaced brackets" 59 forsupporting the ends of a push rod handle 63 extending therebetween for facilitating movement of the chart rack vA by an operator. 5 I-Iin'gedly mounted on the upper central portion o'f'the back wall 4 is 'a desk forming utility shelf 6| optionally supported inhorizontal position by apair of spaced triangular-shaped ,brackets 32-which are vertically hinged upon the face a of the back 'wall 4 beneath the shelf 61 and are adapted to, be folded inwardly toward each other'to lie flatwise against the face of the backwall 4 in concealed or nested position behind the 'shelffilwhen the latter is in-vertical or in operative position, as

shown in dottedlines in Figure. 2.,

In use the charts, 29 areplaced, within the sections a, b,'c, of the rack A with the ears. 28 seated in an aligned pair of recesses 2.6 whereby the chart 2,19, depends the space l2l,'as shown in Figure l. Ordinarily the charts 29 may be fully'removed frorri the rack" A forinspetr tion by authorized individuals. However 'when it is desirable to loclf' the' chartsBf in thel'rach A so that'unauthorized personswill-be, denied ac,- cess, the handle 45 issuitably. rotatedto shift the locking'bars 42 frorn'retr actediposition, (as shown in full lines inFigu'res dand 7) tooutwardly,'extended}position {(asshowrr in dotted lines Figures 6 and which position they extend over the recessesdt and block upward or withdrawing movement of the charts 29.; v

The rack A may be freely-moved; about, as from w e ir a Q IPiW; or f o ei l to, b d

in a, large wardithereof andwill provide both a co ple e an b 1 50fi s:e*-; o? .spea eaf the nurse or attendant in-charger For. example, the utility drawer 13 may be utilized asa dep'osi tory forthermometers, tongue depressors, stethoscopes, pen,- "ink; sparercharteforms, and the like; The shelffil' provides ,a writing surface whereby entries may-be made inthe charts 329 as the rack A is moved from ,locatiotito loc'aationiwhen the round :of the patientsihas"beenxcompletedvthe chart rack A may be locked until it is again needed for the next round, thereby preventing ambulatory patients, visitors and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to the charts.

It will be understood that, while my invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the table may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. For use with hospital charts and the like having a hinge pin with projecting ears, a chart rack comprising spaced parallel support bars having a plurality of recesses for retaining the projecting ears, said support bars being provided with bores at their upper and lower ends, each support bar being provided across its upper surface with two transversely extending parallel slots respectively opening downwardly into the upper and lower bores thereof, the bores in the upper ends of each support bar being axially aligned with each other and the bores in the lower ends of each support bar being likewise axially aligned with each other, shafts extending axially through said bores, driving spools mounted on said shafts and engaged bearingwise within each of said bores, said spools each being provided on its outer surface with a spiral groove, and a locking bar movably disposed on the upper surface of each support bar and being provided at its upper and lower ends with downwardly projecting members extending, respectively, through the upper and lower slots of said support bar for engagement within the grooves of said spools whereby on rotation of the shafts the locking bars are moved cross-wise with respect to the support bars into position to prevent unauthonized removal of the charts from the rack.

2. For use with hospital charts and the like having a hinge pin with projecting ears, a chart rack comprising spaced parallel support bars having a plurality of recesses for retaining the projecting ears, said support bars eing provided with bores at their upper and lower ends, each support bar being provided across its upper surface with two transversely extending parallel I slots respectively opening downwardly into the upper and lower bores thereof, the bores in the upper ends of each support bar being axially aligned with each other and the bores in the lower ends of each support bar being likewise whereby on rotation of the shafts the locking bars are moved cross-wise with respect to the support bars into position to prevent unauthorized removal of the charts from the rack, and means for maintaining the locking bar in desired position.

6 e 3. A portable chart carrier comprising a housing having a bottom wall mounted on casters, front, side and rear walls marginally secured to the bottom wall and to each other, said rear wall being of substantially greater height than the front wall and said side walls having oblique upper margins connecting the uppermargins of the front and rear walls in the provision of a housing with an obliquely presented top opening,

. chart holding bars mounted in and extending transversely across said opening parallel to the plane thereof, said bars each being provided with a uniformly spaced set of vertically aligned upwardly opening U-shaped slots, one slot in each set being horizontally aligned with a corresponding slot in each other set to provide opposed pairs of slots adapted to form stirrup-like supports for hospital charts, a fiat elongated locking member slidably mounted on the upper face of each bar and confined for movement transversely with respect to the bar, said member being substantially narrower than the bar so that, when disposed in inwardly shifted position, it will leave all the slots uncovered but when in outwardly shifted position, will overlie the slots to prevent upward removal of charts therefrom and actuating means for simultaneously moving all looking members into and out of said overlying position.

4. For use with hospital charts and the like having a hinge pin with projecting ears, a chart rack comprising spaced parallel support bars having a plurality of recesses for retaining the projecting ears, said support bars being provided with bores at their upper and lower ends, each support bar being provided across its upper surface with two transversely extending parallel slots respectively opening downwardly into the upper and lower bores thereof, the bores in the upper ends of each support bar being axially aligned with each other and the bores in the lower ends of each support bar being likewise axially aligned with each other, shafts extending axially through said bores, driving spools mounted on said shafts and engaged bearingwise within each of said bores, said spools each being provided on its outer surface with a spiral groove, a locking bar movably disposed on the upper surface of each support bar and being provided at its upper and lower ends with downwardly projecting, members extending, respectively, through the upper and lower slots of said support bar for engagement within the grooves of said spools whereby on rotation of the shafts the locking bars are moved cross-wise with respect to the support bars into position to prevent unauthorized removal of the charts from the rack, a gear pinned to each of said shafts, and rack means extending between said gears and engaged therewith for causing said shafts to move simultaneously.

HYMAN ROBERT SHAMPAINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 322,679 Campbell July 21, 1885 1,351,753 Hover Sept. 7, 1920 2,456,677 Clachko Dec. 21, 1948 

